As the world dialogue turns to issues related to global economic stability, we must use this as an opportunity to examine issues facing our future as a region.

Interestingly, the G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and to a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. This group of leaders has engaged in a regular dialogue about global economic stability that includes countries and voices that have historically been left out of these critical discussions.

The G-20 and its purpose are a good model for our study as a region that has transformed itself from a "brown" economy to a "green" economy, yet requires further transformation from a region of economic disparity to a region of inclusive prosperity.

As the Sept. 24-25 gathering draws near, it is a time to highlight the accomplishments of our region, but it is not a time to ignore our challenges. We should not miss the opportunity to learn from the meaning of the G-20 and what it can model in terms of how we must address critical obstacles facing sustainable regional growth.

While our region is frequently recognized as an example of positive economic recovery, data from a number of University of Pittsburgh benchmark studies show that the benefits of regional recovery are unevenly distributed by demographic group, especially race.

Yes, as a region we have moved past the stigma of the "smoky city" which has led to the emergence of a number of industries revitalizing job opportunities across the region. However, Pittsburgh is among the third-lowest in terms of median earnings among cities, counties and metro areas for full-time African-American workers.

According to the Brookings Institution, Pittsburgh is one of the strongest 20 metro areas in terms of housing prices, yet we have the 21st-lowest percentage of African-American homeowners and the 22nd-highest percentage of African-American homeowners with mortgages who spend 50 percent or more of their income on housing costs.

A disparity study conducted by researchers at Pitt showed that the gender wage gap in the Pittsburgh region exceeds the national average for full-time, year-round female workers across most industries and occupations. This inequity persists despite women in our region comprising half of the work force and despite increases in the number of female workers and female labor force participation rates over the past five decades.

Pittsburgh women in management earn just 58.3 percent of what local men in similar positions earn and only 89.5 percent of the national median earnings for women in these top positions. Despite our region being home to some of the top colleges and universities in the world, women with graduate degrees earn just 71 percent of the pay men with a similar education earn.

These and other disparities act as barriers to our region achieving the next level of growth and prosperity that are required for continued prosperity. As stated in a report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, "business cannot succeed in societies that fail." This causes one to ask, can economic recovery be complete without economic equality?

The model set forth by the G-20 is an excellent one for us to study and implement long after the world's cameras have left the Golden Triangle.

The G-20 has championed a range of issues from world poverty, to environmental sustainability to reducing abuse within global financial systems. It also seeks to adopt internationally recognized standards through the example set by its members. All of this through a model that values inclusion, engagement and a balance between what is good for markets as well as what is good for people.

So Pittsburgh, what can we learn from all of this?

We need to have a regional dialogue not simply about how to host the G-20, but how to learn from it. We must turn our attention to how we can create our own "regional G-20," one that helps to ensure economic, environmental and social sustainability for all segments of our community.

Within a month after the G-20 summit, we should gather the top leadership of regional government, development organizations and social service agencies to hold a "Summit for Social Sustainability" to develop a comprehensive action plan for addressing our persistent disparities.

The Western Pennsylvania Diversity Initiative whose mission is to promote regional economic growth by providing resources to our region would be an excellent candidate to convene this summit. The David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership stands ready to support these vital efforts.

As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon eloquently stated, "Markets can flourish only in societies that are healthy. And societies need healthy markets to flourish."